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In
Focus: PIRIOU Shipyard visit |
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Visit at PIRIOU shipyard: Update on Almak training ship, B2M programme
and new designs |
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As
part of the EURONAVAL
Press Tour, Navy Recognition visited Piriou shipyard in Concarneau.
About one year following the christenning of Almak training ship, we
asked a DCI representative about the first return of experience. We
also witnessed the good progress on the first hull of the French Navy's
future B2M ship. Finally we were shown some of the new patrol vessel
designs that will be unveilled by Kership (a joint Piriou-DCNS company)
during Euronaval 2014. |
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Video: L'Almak training ship with DCI and B2M construction with KERSHIP |
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Almak
Maritime Training Ship: Frédéric BOUILLY of the naval branch of DCI (NAVFCO) told us that after one year of training cadets at sea, the return of experience is a great success. Over one hundred foreign officers have been trained so far on board L'Almak. The Almak is used primarily for academic high-level training organized by DCI in favor of foreign students and in conjunction with the French Naval Academy. With a small crew of eight people, this ship can carry a dozen cadets. It has an availability of 35 to 40 weeks of sailing per year. Basic specifications of the ship: Lenght 44,00 m Beam 9,60 m Draft 3.10 m Speed 12 knots Propulsion 2x 662 kW; 2x shafts with variable pitch propellers Crew 8; 16 students + 1 passenger Endurance: 10 days @ 10 knots |
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 Sections of the French Navy future B2M vessel during assembling at PIRIOU in October 2014 |
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 French Navy future B2M vessel (B2M or BMM stands for Bâtiments MultiMissions meaning Multimission Vessel in French) (Picture: PIRIOU) |
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B2M (Bâtiment
Multi-Mission) PIRIOU and DCNS won in January this year the contract for the supply of three multi-mission ocean-going vessels, with an option for a fourth, and the associated maintenance services. This contract, awarded by French defence procurement agency DGA, with PIRIOU as lead contractor, is part of the B2M multi-mission ship programme. It covers the design and construction of three multi-purpose ocean-going ships, 65 metres long and displacing around 1500 tons, to be delivered in 2015 and 2016. The ships are intended for operation overseas. The joint proposal by PIRIOU and DCNS was submitted before the establishment of KERSHIP, the joint venture set up in the spring by the two companies, but KERSHIP has since been given the responsibility of fulfilling the contract. During our visit to the KERSHIP part of Piriou shipyard, we could witness the advanced stage of the first B2M hull. According to the French Procurement Agency (DGA), these vessels: - have the ability to project 20 personnel (joint, police or gendarmerie) with two 4x4 vehicles along with their weapons and ammunition. - will ensure the evacuation of citizens and have the ability to deploy and support divers and equipment (including drones) to conduct underwater interventions. - Under the state action at sea, they will provide fisheries police missions, and contribute to the fight against illegal immigration, drug trafficking and piracy. - They will assist ships in distress and participate in safeguarding people and property, through their firefighting means and towing capacity of up to 30 tons |
 PIRIOU new CPV 105 coastal patrol vessel design (Picture: PIRIOU) |
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New KERSHIP
designs: PIRIOU and DCNS have combined forces in 2013 to bid for national and international naval projects through their jointlyowned subsidiary KERSHIP. KERSHIP specializes in military and civilian vessels up to 95 m long for state action at sea (military navies, coastguard services, customs services, scientific institutes, etc.). KERSHIP offers a wide range of reliable and robust surface vessels that are easy to operate and maintain. State of-the-art equipment ensures every vessel is adapted to the client's needs. At Euronaval 2014, PIRIOU will unveil several new patrol vessel designs in the KERSHIP range, including the CPV 105 pictured above. Based on 50 years PIRIOU’s expertise in shipbuilding and in In Service Support for Navies, the CPV 105 is PIRIOU’s response to perform law enforcement operations at sea with fast intervention capabilities and significant flexibility, endurance and sea-keeping behaviour. Designed to fulfill both military and civilian missions in territorial and EEZ waters, the CPV 105 ensures a wide range of missions such as patrol and surveillance, law enforcement, special forces support, counter-piracy and border protection, illegal immigration prevention or natural resources protection, at an efficient ratio cost. The CPV 105 is a compact and cost effective patrol vessel that may be equipped with the necessary communication and armament system. Its endurance is 5 days at sea, 1500 nm at 12 knots and maximum speed of 31 knots. It may be armed with mounts from 12.7 up to 20 mm. The CPV 105 is fitted with the same RIB launch system at the stern as the one fitted on the L'Adroit OPV. The system is proven and has demonstrated it can launch a RIB in less than 1 minute while maintaining a speed of 8 knots. |
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